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I knew that I had to find a new dentist for our family when my youngest son had a bad experience at another dentist in the area. Even though the other kids were happy with the dentist, I was not going to take any of them back there because of the horrible bedside manner they had with my young son who was simply afraid of a procedure. I did an online search for dentist in 80111, knowing that would be the easiest way to find a new dentist for our family.

I was not going to make the same mistake that I did last time. I just chose the first one that I found, and it worked out for a while. I was going to handle this time differently though because I did not want to keep changing dentists every few months. I wanted my kids to feel safe and happy with the dentist, and that meant all three of them, not just the older two who were not afraid of much of anything. When I saw the website for Smile Essential, I liked everything that I saw regarding the actual practice itself. Continue reading My Kids Like Going to the Dentist Now

If you suffer from acne or even the occasional breakout, choosing the correct makeup can be daunting. The wrong products can irritate sensitive skin, further highlight blemishes, or even make acne worse. Here is the best makeup for acne prone skin that will not only disguise blemishes, but in some cases, help fight acne at its source.

From an Acne Busting Name You Know

If you suffer from acne, then no doubt you have heard of the Proactiv skin care line. Their lesser known makeup called Sheer Finish provides mineral, non-comedogenic products that won’t clog your pores or cause additional breakouts. Sheer Finish assures perfect coverage because of their patented All Shade flawless mineral technology. Available in two shade options for lighter or darker skin, each mirrored compact provides a duo of color palettes to ensure a perfect match when blended.

Lap of Luxury

A longtime leader in the makeup and beauty industry, Laura Mercier carries a luxurious line of oil free primers and foundations perfect for acne prone skin. These non-comedogenic products won’t clog pores or cause additional blemishes and are touted for providing an overall smoother complexion. Available in high end department stores, Laura Mercier’s oil free line of products has twelve coverage shades to choose from. As a bonus, if you visit one of their retail locations, a Laura Mercier beauty expert will help you select your perfect foundation match.

Patented Technology Acne Fighter

Do you want to conceal acne while fighting it at the same time? Neutrogena’s Skin Clearing Oil Free Makeup contains the acne busting ingredient salicylic acid which can help clear acne while preventing future breakouts and unsightly shine. Their patented MicroClean technology line contains three different products, a liquid foundation, a mineral powder and a blemish concealer which are available in twelve different shades. Neutrogena says that in a clinical test, 100% of women who have used their Skin Clearing Oil Free Makeup noticed improved skin tone over time.

Not all mineral foundations are oil free, but this product from Becca Perfect Skin Mineral Foundation is! Available in 15 shades, it is also free of fragrances, dyes and other skin irritants that can contribute to acne issues. Becca Perfect Skin Mineral Foundation’s lightweight coverage is also water resistant, keeping you looking great all day long.

Miracles Do Happen

Miracle Skin Transformer Acne Control Tinted Enhancer by Sarah McNamara is a unique formula that helps color-correct your skin while simultaneously concealing blemishes. Containing salicylic acid and anti-microbial peptide-10, it will help prevent future breakouts and is touted as the best makeup for acne prone skin by many in the beauty community. Available in 5 shades, this lightly tinted product provides a natural look that will leave your skin feeling fresh and flawless.

Whichever makeup you choose, remember to properly clean your hands, brushes or makeup applicators before each use. Even the best makeup for acne prone skin can be less effective if bacteria or oils transfer to the face during application.

Our skin is a wonderful gift that we must appreciate and maintain its beauty. We are sure that everybody wants to have perfect and smooth skin without any problems that can appear. The most widespread ones are acne and pimples. They can be very harmful for your appearance because they can cause a lot of problems. Acne is very visible so your appearance is spoiled when they appear on your face. It may even lead to a range of psychological problems and loss of self-confidence. Acne appears when your pores are blocked by sebum (oil that lubricates your skin and hair). It is often met during teenage years, when hormonal balance changes and hormones are produced more actively. The most problematic areas on the face are nose, forehead and chin because production of oil here is the highest Medicalcare.

Before your visit to the specialist, you should find out some home-made remedies that will help you to get rid of this problem. They are effective and available for everyone. Healthy diet, healthy sleep and herbal masks will help you to get rid of acne!

Keep your face clean

A perfect rule is to clean your face properly two times a day with a soap which is based on sulfur, because it is perfect for problematic skin. It is necessary to clean your skin after you wake up in the morning and before you go to bed in the evening. Remember that you shouldn`t rub or peel your skin, because sebum will be produced excessively and the problem with acne will be even worse. Scrubs can also irritate your skin which is already damaged because of acne and pimples.

Take your hair away from the face

You haven’t thought that hair which falls on your face can provoke appearance of acne. It can be explained by the fact that there is a certain amount of oil on our hair and in contact with the skin on our face acne appear. If you have such a problem then you should take your hair off the face and keep it clean .

Specialists say that our skin reflects all the problems of our body which, by the way, come from inside. We should keep our body healthy in order to avoid these problems and the best way is to keep to a healthy diet. If you keep to a nutritional diet your skin will be radiant and clean. Your diet should be based on all the possible vitamins that will fill deficiencies of some elements in the body. They can be found in fruits and vegetables, which are the natural sources of micro elements and vitamins. The most necessary one is vitamin A which is responsible for regeneration of skin cells and it also cleanse your body perfectly.

Chromium as a food additive

If you want to get rid of pimples and to lose weight at the same time, then you can add chromium in your everyday ration. But first, you should consult your doctor and if he agrees, then you can consume it once a day to treat pimples.

One of the most effective and fast ways to get rid of acne is to sleep enough (from eight to nine hours a day). Deep sleep helps to restore your body from inside and clear it of toxins. If your body functions well then many health problems can be resolved. Daytime sleep also helps to regain strength in order to resist infections and inflammations.

Honey mask as the best remedy

One of the best remedies in treatment of acne is honey. It has very effective anti-bacterial and anti-septic qualities that affect your skin. It purifies pores and treats acne. It perfectly suits for sensitive skin. Apply honey mask on your face once a week to see a wonderful result.

Cosmetic products meant for makeup include in its composition a lot of chemical ingredients that can be very harmful for problematic areas of your skin. You should limit use of make up until you get rid of problems with acne. Sometimes it happens that you need to use makeup and in this case you should apply it in a very small amount and remove it properly before you go to bed. Heavy makeup block your pores and a chance of appearance of acne increases.

Squeezing pimples should be forbidden

You should know one simple rule: don’t scratch and squeeze the pimples. People always think that if they do that, then pimples will not appear, but they are wrong. These procedures only increase production of sebum which results in more and more acne on your skin. When squeezing, the top layer of the skin is damaged and the risk of progression of the infection is really high. In addition bacteria is brought on the surface and it provokes deterioration of your skin condition.

Wash your pillowcases frequently

During the sleep your skin contacts the pillow and skin oil remains on the material. It leads to its pollution and next time when your skin contacts the pillow the infection is provoked. So, you should maintain hygiene and wash your pillowcases more often than usually.

So, you see that there are a lot of ways to treat acne and pimples without visiting the doctor. All these ways are possible, effective and safe. Follow these easy tips in order to receive healthy and radiant skin and to forget about acne forever.

We normally associate acne with adolescence. However, it is a common misconception. Acne is a skin disease that is not exclusive to the “growing” phase of a human body. It can affect the adult skin as well. Therefore, it is important for you to know about the common types of acne. This will help you recognize and understand a specific type of acne, and treat it according to the requirements.

Let us have a look at some of the most common types of acne in existence:

#1. Whitehead

A Whitehead is perhaps the most commonly seen acne. In medical terms, a Whitehead is popular by the term “Closed Comedo”. A small white head comes out on the skin when the pore under it accumulates sebum or oils. The reason this acne is white is that the clogged pore on the skin does not get air, and as result, turns white due to the lack of oxidation.

#2. Blackheads

Like a whitehead, blackheads are also non-inflamed clogged pores. In medical terms, blackheads are popular by the term “Open Comedo”. This means that the tops of blackheads are open and therefore, their exposure to air is high. The air oxidizes the sebum and keratin, and as a result, turns the affected pores black.

#3. Papules

A papule is a firm, small and cone-shaped bump that is either red or pink in color. When a Whitehead gets irritated (mainly because of too much finger touches), it swells up and gets inflamed. In short, a papule is an inflamed whitehead. Initially, there is no pus inside a papule. However, it can get filled with pus later on and become a pustule.

#4. Pustules

As I pointed out earlier, a pustule is a hard, pus-filled papule. Normally, its color is red with a defining yellow or white center. The yellow or white color comes from the pus visible inside. Although you might feel tempted to pop a pustule, it is better to consult a dermatologist to have it expressed properly.

Prevention is Better than Cure

You are never 100% secure when it comes to acne. However, you can obviously lessen the occurrences by taking necessary precautions. What are these precautions?

You need to consider Google as your best friend. It can help you get some valuable information about your skin. Based on the information you receive, you can buy acne treatment and skin care products. As oil or sebum accumulation is a major cause behind acne formation, you need to clean your face when you get a chance. It is also important to eat fresh and healthy foods (leafy vegetables in particular). You must also know how to use the dermatology EHR software, so that it becomes easy to support your skin care regimen from your Smartphone or Tablet.

Acne, also known as acne vulgaris, is a skin condition that affects millions of teenagers and adults alike. In fact, more than 80% of people worldwide have some form of acne between the ages of 11 and 30. While usually not serious, acne can cause negative psychological issues and, while not as common, long lasting scars. There are many different factors to why people get acne including an increase in hormone levels, excess oil (or sebum) in the skin, bacteria and more. Acne itself has many different varieties including whiteheads (closed comedo), blackheads (open comedo) and inflammatory papules. (Fortunately, there are many different products available on the market that can help prevent acne and treat it once someone already has it.

Acne is classified clinically as being mild, moderate or severe. This grading scale is somewhat subjective but how severe your acne is will determine the type of treatment you will be taking. Mild acne is usually self medicated with over the counter products which we will discuss. Mild acne that doesn’t improve or worsens is typically treated with prescription products. In terms of medications, this article will discuss over the counter, prescription and supplemental products used to treat acne.

Over The Counter(OTC)

Salicylic Acid

When To Use/Place In Therapy

Mild acne in patients with sensitive skin. This medication is usually used by patients to self treat their acne and is typically one of the first medications people will try.

How To Apply

Apply 1 to 3 times per day, massage into skin and rinse off.

Important Additional Information

Not as effective as OTC benzoyl peroxide but is usually better tolerated, especially in those with sensitive skin.

Benzoyl Peroxide

When To Use/Place In Therapy

Benzoyl peroxide is actually available as both an over the counter product and as a prescription. It ranges in strength from 2.5% to 10%. Along with salicylic acid, it is very commonly used to self treat acne. It is used for mild to moderate acne and is almost always used in combination with a prescription product to clear up more moderate to severe cases of acne.

How To Apply

Applied every other day to twice daily. Depending on the specific product you get, be it a gel, creamy wash, foam, be sure to read the package directions for application. Some products you apply and keep on while others you apply and wash off.

Important Additional Information

The most common side effect is redness of the skin, especially when you first start using the product. In fact, it’s very common that your acne may appear worse because of the redness. This typically gets much better though as you continue to use the product. You should start once daily or even once every other day to become accustomed to the product to reduce the possibility of the redness. It is also recommended to start with either the 2.5% or the 5% benzoyl peroxide strength. Benzoyl peroxide is know to cause bleaching of towels and other fabrics so be aware of this! Benzoyl peroxide also can cause sun sensitivity.

Prescription Products

The “Retinoids”

When To Use/Place In Therapy

The retinoids are the most commonly used prescription products for acne, and there are a lot of them! They can either be used alone for mild acne or in combination with other products for more moderate to severe acne.

Retinoid Products – Generic name followed by brand names in parenthesis

Tretinoin (Retin-A, Retin-A Micro,? Tretin-X)

Adapalene (Differin gel/cream)

Tazarotene (Tazorac)

All of these formulations come in a variety of different vehicles including creams, gels, and solutions.

How To Apply

Start with the lowest strength to avoid possible irritation. Typically it is recommended to start dosing at three times weekly, progressing to nightly use as tolerated. All retinoids are applied in the evening before going to bed. Ideally, you should wash the face with a non-medicated soap or gentle cleanser (such as Cetaphil), then apply a thin film of the cream, lotion, or gel to cover the entire face. Do not rinse off afterwards.

Important Additional Information

All of the retinoid products work in the same way, but certain products and formulations are either better tolerated or more effective. If what your doctor prescribed you isn’t having the desired effect, it usually helps to change the retinoid product, strength or formulation.

Tretinoin creams are the most commonly prescribed since they are available generically and are less expensive than other products. They do tend to cause the most irritation in the retinoid class however. There is a tretinoin product known as Retin-A micro which is the best tolerated of the retinoid bunch. Tretinoin is deactivated by sunlight and therefore should be applied at bedtime.

Adapalene (Differin) products are considered to be slightly more efficacious than tretinoin products and certainly cause less skin irritation. Some formulations of adapalene are available generically just as tretinoin products are but in general does cost more. Sunlight deactivates adapalene just like tretinoin and therefore should be applied at bedtime.

Tazarotene (Tazorac) is considered the most effective retinoid of all but is typically more irritating that the others. It commonly causes redness and scaling. Also, tazarotene is absolutely to be avoided in pregnancy or in those who wish to become pregnant.

For all the retinoid products, as the strength increases so does the possibility of redness, flaking, and irritation. Ideally you want to start at a couple of times per week and move up to nightly dosing.

In terms of picking a product formulation (cream vs gel etc.), the general recommendation is to pick a formulation based on your skin type. For people with more oily skin, it is recommended to go with a gel or solution because they contain more alcohol and tend to be a little bit more drying. In people with dry, flaky skin, cream is usually the best choice as it won’t dry as much.

Lastly, as will many different drug products, acne does tend to get worse when you start a medication before it gets better. It can sometimes take around a month to start seeing the positive effects of medication.

Azelaic Acid

When To Use/Place In Therapy

Azelaic Acid (Azelex) is often used for patients with mild to moderate acne. It tends to be less irritating than other products

so it is good for those with sensitive skin.

How To Apply

Azelaic Acid is usually gentle enough where is can be applied twice daily, in the morning and in the evening, at the start of therapy. Gently wash the face, pat dry and apply the product. Do not wash the face afterwards.

Important Additional Information

Azelaic Acid (Azelex) is usually considered slightly less effective than the retinoid products but again, it is great for people with sensitive skin. In those people with darker complexions, it has been know to cause hypopigmentation, also known as a loss in skin color.

Dapsone (Aczone)

When To Use/Place In Therapy

Dapsone (Aczone) is a topical antibiotic formulation indicated for mild, moderate or even severe acne. It usually is used in combination with other products. Though Dapsone is classified as an antibiotic, it appears to work by preventing and treating the inflammatory process. It is usually very well tolerated and typically is regarded as a good option for patients that can’t tolerate other medications well.

How To Apply

Dapsone should be applied to a clean and dry face. Dapsone does tend to be a little bit gritty so you can expect to feel that when you rub it in. Do not rinse your face afterwards.

Important Additional Information

Two things are important to know about Dapsone. First, it is usually fairly well tolerated and should not make acne worse before it gets better, unlike the retinoid products. Secondly, it usually is not used with benzoyl peroxide products as the combination of both can cause a temporary orange staining on the skin.

Spironolactone (Aldactone)

When To Use/Place In Therapy

Spironolactone is an oral therapy and is usually reserved for more moderate to severe cases of acne where other treatments haven’t worked. It is almost always used in combination with topical products and is almost exclusively used only in females with either excess androgenization (i.e. excess male hormones) or acne that comes and goes in cycles. Excessively oily skin, abnormally excessive hair growth and menstrual irregularities sometimes signal excess androgen in women.

How To Apply

The dosage for spironolactone is individualized in each patient with typical dosages ranging from 25 to 200 mg. Ideally you want the lowest effective dose. It should be taken in the morning because it is a mild diuretic (causes a loss of water through urination).

Important Additional Information

Spironolactone is know as an anti-androgen and is very effective in reducing sebum (oil). It works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Excess Dihydrotestosterone can cause many dermatological issues such as clogged pores and inflammation. Studies have shown that spironolactone reduces sebum excretion in the skin by about 30-50 percent and therefore is very effective in those with oily skin.

Being an oral medication, it has the possibility to cause more side effects than topical treatments. The most common side effects are excess urination, menstrual irregularities (spotting etc.) and low blood pressure. The menstual irregularities are usually decreased in woman who are also taking oral hormonal contraceptives.

Many compounding pharmacies make topical spironolactone which can sometimes help reduce side effects. It is not commercially available though at retail pharmacies.

Antibiotics (Topical)

When To Use/Place In Therapy

As part of combination therapy for mild to severe acne. Topical antibiotics should never be the sole treatment for several reasons including the extended time it takes to see positive effects and the fact that bacterial resistance can occur. It’s important to note that acne is not an infection. Everyone carries a bacteria in their skin known as P. acnes. The problem is when the bacteria over grows in the skin. Some byproducts of the metabolism of the P. Acnes bacteria are irritants to the skin and lead to microcomedo formations and results in inflammatory lesions. Decreasing the amount of P.Acnes via antibiotic therapy is usually associated with acne improvement.

Topical antibiotics include, erythromycin and clindamycin.

How To Apply

Topical antibiotics are applied usually once to twice daily. Apply to a clean, dry face and do not wash off after application

Important Additional Information

Topical antibiotics typically are used in 3 month spurts and then given a break. They are always to be used in combination therapy with other acne products such as benzoyl peroxide.

Some products do cause sun sensitivity so it is recommended to use sunscreen.

Antibiotics (Oral)

When To Use/Place In Therapy

Antibiotics taken by mouth are typically only prescribed for those who have moderate to severe inflammatory acne and they are always prescribed as past of a combination with topical therapies. They are used to reduce the colonization of a specific bacteria known a P. Acnes. They can take one to two months to begin working and once new acne lesions are no longer forming, the antibiotics are typically stopped.

Antibiotics given for acne are usually one of the following:

Doxycycline

Minocycline

Tetracyclin

Clindamycin

Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim

How To Apply

The usual dose of antibiotics is one to two capsules/tablets per day.

Important Additional Information

The oral antibiotics are never given to children under the age of 8 do to the possibility of serious side effects.

There are some concerns of bacterial resistance in those taking consistent antibiotics for acne. The bacteria that may become resistant however typically don’t cause major infections. People may be slightly more susceptible to getting strep throat, but treatment is still fairly easy.

It is usually recommended to use oral antibiotics for 12-18 weeks and to always combine oral antibiotics with other therapies such as benzoyl peroxide to help avoid resistance.

Isotretinoin (Accutane/Claravis/Absorica)

When To Use/Place In Therapy

Isotretinoin is a very strong and extremely effective acne medication indicated for acne that leaves severe scarring or for acne that does not respond to other treatments. Among other things, it reduces sebum in the skin, helps regulate your skin cells and reduces the P. Acnes bacteria. While effective, the medication has very serious possible side effects and has a high risk of teratogenicity (birth defects). Because of this risk, isotretinoin is only available under a restricted program under REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) and this program is called iPLEDGE. All patients must sign a consent for before beginning therapy and must register in the iPLEDGE program. Patients that are sexually active must use two forms of contraceptive for at least one month before beginning therapy, during the course of therapy and for one month after stopping therapy. Additionally, women of child bearing age must have 2 negative pregnancy tests before beginning the drug.

How To Apply

There are varying strengths of isotretinoin and typically the drug is given orally once to twice daily. Isotretinoin should be given with food.

Important Additional Information

Isotretinoin should never been used with the “cycline” as there is a major drug interaction between the two.

Isotretinoin is used in millions of patients safely it is just very important to take the iPLEDGE program seriously and always monitor for possible side effects.

Over The Counter Supplements

Vitamin A

We’ve all heard of vitamin A before. It plays a huge role in the treatment of acne. In fact, all of the drugs in the retinoid class we wrote about earlier and the drug isotretinoin are derivatives of vitamin A!

We get vitamin A from two sources, animal and plant. The vitamin A we get from plant sources (such as carrots and certain vegetables) have the most potent forms of vitamin A known as Carotenoids.

In addition to it’s use for skin conditions like acne, vitamin A is vitally important for immune system development, vision growth development and much more. Ideally, if you are looking for a vitamin A supplement, you want to go for vitamin A sources as a carotenoid and not a retinol.

Vitamin A supplementation in people can go a long way towards treating and preventing acne. When looking for a vitamin A supplement, you want to look for vitamin A as beta carotene as it is the safest and most effective.

Omega 3-Fatty Acids

Omega 3-Fatty Acids reduce the inflammatory response and may result in a less “waxy” sebum that doesn’t get “stuck” in the pore/follicle.